Asger Risom
Former vice president denounces “thirst for power,” warns of rising authoritarianism and distortion of truth
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore delivered a forceful critique of Donald Trump’s administration on Monday, drawing controversial historical parallels and warning of a systemic threat to democracy and truth.
Speaking at the opening of Climate Week in San Francisco, Gore accused Trump of fostering a political culture rooted in misinformation and unchecked power.
“Power lust is at the core of everything happening here,” Gore told an audience of environmental leaders and policymakers.
He likened the administration’s approach to truth to that of Nazi Germany, cautioning against efforts to manipulate reality for political gain.
“A Chilling Echo of History”
Gore referenced post-war German philosopher Theodor Adorno, who warned that the first step toward national decline is the “transformation of all questions of truth into questions of power.”
He accused Trump’s White House of doing just that—attacking the boundary between true and false, much like the propaganda machines of the 1930s.
While acknowledging the singular evil of Hitler’s regime, Gore argued that its lessons remain vital. “There are important warnings from the history of emerging evil,” he said, urging Americans to stay alert and engaged.
A Broader Democratic Alarm
Gore’s remarks come amid a wave of criticism from prominent Democrats.
Former President Barack Obama recently condemned what he called federal overreach on college campuses, while Kamala Harris accused the Trump administration of fostering fear and undermining constitutional rights.
Gore also cited Pope Francis and Martin Luther King Jr. during his 25-minute address, calling for moral clarity in the fight against climate change.
“We’ve already seen how populist authoritarians use migrants as scapegoats and stoke xenophobia to climb to power,” he warned.
As reported by Digi24, the speech drew applause from attendees, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who praised Gore’s message and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to clean energy and climate justice.